Orange and Violet Coin Book

This is my favorite book, and I almost considered keeping it rather than giving it away.  I wanted to do a cover that was almost entirely cloth, because I like the soft tactile feel of it.  I collaged it using a sewing machine, as I did with the glass fish book (not posted, as I lost the photos.)  From that project I learned that sewing machines don’t like to sew through clumps of ribbon.  To get around this, I layered tissue paper over the top of the cloth and ribbon, and when I was done, I tore the tissue paper off.  They do make special paper that will dissolve in water, so you don’t have to tear it off, but I have too many art supplies as it is.

I had already drilled holes in the coins to make a coin belt, but I decided not to use them because the edges were slightly sharp and would cut through thread if they were shaken frequently.  I sewed them with sturdy thread, so I think they will do just fine unless the book is put in someone’s belt and shimmied.  I sewed the beads on to add a little more texture, and to hold down some of the loose material.

The end papers are a handmade paper from Tibet that I bought at an import store when I was in Seattle a couple years ago.